Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Brunei - New surgical nursing course introduced


AN ADVANCED diploma in neuro, plastic, microvascular surgical nursing is now available in Brunei.

The new programme was launched by the Department of Maxillofacial & Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital, the Ministry of Health,and the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Berne University Hospital in Switzerland.

Officiating at the launch of the new programme yesterday was Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Yusof at the Health Promotion Centre.

According to the statement issued by the ministry, the 12-month course, which is divided into two semesters and a revision/examination period of six weeks, not only aims to train nurses in neuro, plastic and microvascular surgery, but also to give them understanding of ethics, professionalism, effective teamwork, safety and quality patient care.

The course includes a series of lectures, seminars, work groups and discussions, field visits, planned clinical placements and computer assisted learning to aid students.

"The course will only enrol a total of four students at any one time to maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of the (programme)," the statement said.

Students will have learning and theory classes at Neuro, Plastic, Microvascular Unit at RIPAS Hospital, as well as clinical placements.

They will also be required to undergo three months of clinical placements at the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Berne University Hospital.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Adanan said the advanced diploma had been recognised by the National Accreditation Council of Brunei Darussalam as equivalent to the higher national diploma.

"This truly is a giant leap for neuro, plastic, microvascular surgery services in our country because for the first time the Ministry of Health will be able to produce our own local specialist nurses who are not only capable of meeting the demanding standards that are required in this speciality but also the high standards in collaboration with the Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Berne University Hospital, Switzerland, which is an internationally renowned institution for cranio-maxillofacial surgery," the minister said.He added that the training programme would undoubtedly attract those who wanted to become a respected health care professional.

"(It) will therefore provide our youth with more career choices and offer them an excellent opportunity to be associated with the health profession," the minister said.

He went on to say demand for health care was on the increase and that the profession was becoming more challenging for medical staff. To boost standards"there needs to be significant transformation and innovation in the way health care is organised that also addresses nursing workforce resources, training and competence," he said.

SALLY PIRI

The Brunei Times

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